ILPS wave rolls on, panel holds first meeting
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Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, August 09, 2014:
Carrying forward the ongoing mass movement for enforcement of Inner Line Permit System in Manipur, protest demonstrations were staged today at different parts of the State.
A mass sit-in-protest cum discussion was held today at Moirang Hanuba Community Hall under the aegis of Langjing Achouba Gram Panchayat and Moirang Hanuba Youth Development Club pressing for the popular demand of ILPS.
Speaking by the sideline of the protest demonstration, Patsoi Zilla Parishad Member Thokchom Sumanta asked as to why the ILPS cannot be enforced in Manipur even as the British rulers put in place a regulatory mechanism for entry/exit into and from Manipur during the colonial period.
Before 1950, the Eastern Bengal Frontier Regulation 1873 was in force in Manipur.
The regulation was lifted by an order issued by Commissioner Himat Singh not long after Manipur's merger into the Indian Union.
The popular demand is rooted in the apprehension that indigenous people of Manipur may be overwhelmed by outsiders just like what happened to indigenous Tripuris.
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The demand for ILPS does not mean non-Manipuris should be driven out or they should be barred from entering Manipur, Sumanta said.
While the Constitution of India guarantees the right to protect identity and culture of every indigenous people, people across the world are observing the International Day of Indigenous People today.
The situation demands a sustained, collective campaign driven by a firm conviction until regulatory mechanism to check influx of outsiders is put in place.
A similar protest demonstration was also staged at Neinashang Community Hall, Tera Loukrakpam Leikai under the aegis of Neinashang Club and LLDC.
The sit-in-protest was participated by people of Tera Loukrakpam Leikai and Tera Amudon Akham Leikai.
JCILPS activist N Bimol was also present there.
Joining the mass uproar for enforcement of ILPS in the State, a protest demonstration was staged at Langjing Achouba Makha Leikai.
Similar protest agitation were also staged a Maibam Chingning, Sunusiphai, Naransena and Thamnapokpi in Bishnupur district.